Refrigerator show case



I'NW 12, 1929.

GRE ENBURG REFRIGERATOR snow CASE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 30, 1927IN VEN TOR.

cmyer reefiary.

ATT RNEYJ Nov. 12, 1929; M. GREENBURG REFRIGERATOR SHOW CASE Filed Sept.30, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Tics.

INVENTOR.

C/Vfeyef 67 12671527 I ATTOZZZW Nov. 12, 1929. M. GREENBURG REFRIGERATORSHOW CASE Filed Sept. 30, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. (/Keyer 6 766726 6 9 ATTORNEYQJI Patented Nov. 12, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEMEYER GREENBURG, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONALREFRIGERATOR 00., OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA REFRIGERATOR SHOW CASEApplication filed September 80, 1927. Serial No. 223,038.

This invention pertains to refrigerator upper portion of the front wallof the display showcases, and has more particular reference to showcasesfor meats and other perishable goods. I]

The primary object of the invention is to provide a showcase by means ofwhich the goods may be maintained ata sufficiently low temperature tokeep the same in perfect condition for long periods of time.

Another ob ect is to provide a novel and improved showcase constructionby which cold air currents will be brought from the opposite ends of thecase and circulated at the ends of the containing space for the goodslongitudinally of the case, and whereby other cold air currents will becirculated in a trans- -Verse path through the middle of the containingspace for the goods, thereby keepmg the goods at the most efficientpreserving temperature.

Still another object is to provide a refrigerator showcase having animproved construction of transparent front, upper and top forward wallportions whereby unobstructed vision of the display goods may be had,and wherein effective airtight joints and heat insulation is providedfor to permit the low temperature to be readily maintained within thecontaining space for the goods.

Other objects will become apparent as the nature of the invention isbetter understood, and the same consists in the novel form, combinationand arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in theaccompanying drawings and claimed.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicatecorresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a refrigerator showcaseconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse section on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view, partly'brokenaway, illustrating the manner of spacing and joining as well as sealingthe spaces between the upper edge portions of the glass panes formingthe case shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section on line "#1 5-5 of Figure ,3, drawnon a smaller scale;

Figure 6 is a transverse section on line 6-6 of Figure 2; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectionon line 7 -7 of Figure 1.

Referring more in detail to the drawings,

the present case embodies end walls 5, a bottom wall 6, a rear wall 7,lower and end front wall portions 8 and 9, and rear and end top wallportions 10 and 11, all preferably constructed of spaced wooden or otheropaque wall members between which are defined dead air spaces containinga suitable heat insulating material or packing 12. The remaining majorintermediate forward top wall and intermediate upper front wall portionsof the case are constructed of spaced transparent glass panes 13 and 14respectively in a manner which will presently become apparent.

Provided within the case adjacent to but spaced from-the end wallsthereof are transverse partitions 15 which define narrow endcompartments 16, each containing a suitable refrigerating element 17 ofconventional form, and definingv between them a long intermediatecontaining space 8 for the goods, the rear wall 7 being furnished withsuitable hinged closures 18- of any desired number found most convenientfor reaching the interior containing space for the goods. A shelf 19 inthe-form of a grating or the like is located substantially midway of theheight of the containing space 8 for the goods, said shelf being suported upon the partitions 15, for example. bviously, if desired, a lowershelf may be provided inthe space 8 adjacent but spaced from the bottomwall 6 so that a quantity of goods may be properly stored in the lowerportion of the case whiles ecial cuts of meat or the like tobe displayemay be supported upon the shelf 19.

The partitions 15 are suitably cut away.

the free circulation of cold'air currentsin.

paths extending longitudinally of the case at the ends of the latter asindicated by the arrows 22 in Fig. 5. The cold air currents are thuspassed through the end compartments 16 and through; the end portions ofthe containing space 8 and the adjacent portions of the shelf 19 so thatthe goods at the ends of the containing space will be effectivelypreserved.

In order to support a scale or the like at a sufliciently low elevationfor proper observation by the customers, the rear portions of the topwall 10 of the case 'is provided with depressed end portions 23 formingscale supporting platforms. Within the top of the relatively longintermediate rear portion of the case and extending for the full lengthof the latter from one depressed portion 23 to the other is a coolingcoil or element 24 directly beneath which is arranged a troughshapedwall 25 supported by the rear wall 7- and extending from end to end ofthe containing space for the goods as shown in Figure 5. The forwardedge of the troughshaped wall 25 is spaced from the top Wall of the caseand disposed in this space between the top wall of the case and theadjacent forward edge of the trough-shaped wall 25 is a longitudinalpartition 26 which is spaced from the top wall of the case and adjacentforward edge of the trough-shaped wall 25 so as to provide for thefreecirculation into and out of the compartment 27 thus formed for the coil24. By the provision of this means, cold air currents are circulated ina transversely extending path for substantially the full length of thecontaining space 8 for the goods and especially in themajor'intermediate portion of saidspace so that, together with the endcirculating cold air' cfirrents, complete preservation of the foodwithin the entire containing space is insured. The wall 25 may act as ameans for catching water of condensation or the like dripping from thecoil 24, and by any suitable means this water may be conducted toasuitable point of disposal. I have found that due to the great lengthof display cases of this character and other causes, it is impractical.to completely circulate the air within the containing space by theprovision of refrigerating elements at the ends of the case only or onlyat the top or top and bottom of the case. In other words, by providingend and upper intermediate refrigerating units with air circulationinducing means for both, complete circulation of the air is had and theoccurrence of stationary stagnant air at any point or points ispositively prevented.

As shown clearly in Figure 3, the panes 14 are preferably disposed ataslight upward and rearward inclination. Three of these panes arepreferably provided in spaced parallel relation to form a pair of deadair spaces therebetween and most efliciently maintain the lowtemperature within the case. The

panes 13 extend forwardly across the upper edges of the panes l4 and arealso provided three in number to provide a pair of dead air spaces forthe forward top wall portion of the case. Transparent spacing strips 28are provided between the upper edges of the panes 14 and the forwardedges of the panes 13 so that unobstructed vision of the goods displayedupon the shelf 19 may be had, such as is not the case. where opaque orWooden forward upper corner mouldings are provided as in priorconstructions involving multiple pane wall portions. In order toeffectively retain the panes in assembled relation against the oppositeedges of the spacing strips 28, said panes are clamped together atsuitable intervals by means of suitable clamps 29 which engage theupperportions of the panes 14 and the forward port-ions of the panes 13 atregular intervals as shown in Figure 1 and which overlie the joints 30between the ends of sections of the spacing strips 28 as indicated inFigure 4. The joining of the panes to the strips 28 as well as thesealing of the joints is further effected for producing an absolutelyairtight construction, by providing a suitable adhesive sealingcomposition. at these j oint-s or between the edgesof the strips 28 andtheadjacent panes 13 or 14 as well as between the strips 28 of the panes14 and the upper edges of the latter, and between the lowermost pane 13.In order that the lowermost pane 13 may contact the upper edges of thepanes 14 and thereby be'eifectively sealed in airtight relation thereto,the upper edges of the panes 14 are suitably notched as at 31 so thatthe clamps 29 associated with said panes 14 will be countersunk orseated within these notches flush with the upper edges of the panes 14as indicated in Figure 4.

By reason of the construction described, an absolutely airtight job ishad whereby to obtain the greatest economy in the use of therefrigerating medium and to holdthe temperature down to the desired lowpoint. This is true in combination with the provision of a constructionwherein unobstructed view of the displayed goods may be had withoutespecial efforts such as crouching or the like on the part ofthe'customer, such as has been found to be the case with constructionsinvolving opaque and relatively wide for- Ward upper corner frames.

The lower front wall portion of the case may be suitably finished bymeans of an opal glass panel 32 held by a metallic border or frame 33 soas to enhance the appearance of the device. 7

From the foregoing description it is believed that the construction aswell as the advantages of the invention will be readily understood andappreciated by those skilled in the art.

Minor changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is 1.,A refrigerator case-including end andintermediate refrigerating elements, a goods support between the endrefrigerating elements, apertured partitions to direct circulation ofcooled air through the end portions of the goods support inlongitudinally extending paths, and means defining spaced paths at theforward side of the intermediate refrigerating element to directcirculation of cooled air. through the intermediate portion of the goodssupport in a transversely extending path. a

2. A refrigerator case having a goods conf taining space, a coolingelement in said space,

means definingspaced paths at the forward side of the cooling element tocirculate the air cooledby said element through said goods containingspace in a transversely extending path, cooling elements at the ends ofsaid being formed with a central goods containing. compartment, andsupplementary end com-' partments to contain refrigeratingelements, thecentral compartment being separated from the end compartments byvertical parand lowerportlons for the circulation of cooled air, thecentral compartment bein' entirely closed at its bottom part, above w'ch the lower openings in thepartition are lo'-' space, and means tocirculate the air cooled by thev latter, elements through the ends ofs'aid s ace in longitudinally extending paths.

3.- refrigerator case having end compartments and an intermediate goodscontaining space, refrigerating elements in said compartments, aperturedart'itions to direct the cooled air through t e compartments and ends ofthe goods containing space in vertical longitudinally extending paths, arefrigerating element in the upper part of said goods containing space,and spaced elements at the forward side of the last named refrigeratingelement to direct the cooled air in a vertical transversely extendingpath past the latter refrigerating element and through the intermediateart of the goods containing space.

4. A re rigerator case having end compartments and an intermediate goodscontaining space, a goods support in said space, a refrigerating elementin the rear upper portion of said space above said support and adjacentthe top, spaced walls directly below and in front of said element todirect cooled air through said space in a vertical transverx- 1yextending path, the lower wall comprising a trough secured at its rearlongitudinal edge to' the rear wall of the case, and means to directcooled air in vertical longitudinally extending paths through the endsof said space;

5. A refrigerator case having end 0 aque compartments provided withdepresse rear top wall portions, said case having a goods containing sace between said compartments, a refrigerating element extending thefull length of said space in the rear upper portion thereof'between saiddepressed wall portions,

refrigerating elements ,in said end compartments, and transparentforward top and upper front wall portions for said space. I

6. A refrigerator display case composed of non-conducting. enclosingwalls with trans- 7 parent front and top wall portions, said casetitions having openings through their upper:

